Participation

Madam President, a word on National Action Plans: The United Kingdom believes that National Action Plans provide an important opportunity for member states to make their own commitments to reduce the impact of conflict on women and girls and to promote their inclusion in conflict resolution. Over the past year, the United Kingdom has supported efforts globally to implement Resolution 1325.

The focus of today's debate on the participation and role of women in conflict prevention and mediation could not be more timely. Ukraine has always stressed the need for the widest possible use of the potential of women in the spheres of preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping and peacebuilding.

Since the adoption of landmark resolution 1325 (2000), progress has been achieved across a broad range of issues aimed at enhancing the protection and promotion of the rights of women and girls in conflict- affected situations. A stronger gender perspective in post-conflict processes, as well as in United Nations programming and reporting, has been steadily built.

Tunisia intends to continue implementing that resolution as apart of its comprehensive approach to gender equality and the empowerment of women, and will make itself available to the United Nations concerning any aspect of implementing resolution 1325 (2000) and other international instruments dealing with the welfare of women and their participation in decision-making processes, as well as promoting a culture of respect for women.

My country is convinced that peace, development and democracy cannot be carried out without the full participation of women in public life and in the decision-making process.

Women's participation in mediation and negotiation is critical and is directly proportionate to the level of rights and opportunities that women experience during peacebuilding. Having women mediators appointed to senior positions at the forefront of international efforts in peacebuilding would send a strong message and would also ensure that the needs of vulnerable groups are not forgotten.

We are committed to gender equality and the empowerment of women. We are currently in the process of drafting a national action plan on resolution 1325 (2000). Efforts are already under way to promote that resolution and to raise awareness of gender-based violence, human rights and peacebuilding through the training of women's groups, survivors of violence, men and youth.

Resolution 1325 (2000) represents a watershed moment in the international community's approach to conflict and its resolution. It recognizes the disproportionate impact that conflict has upon women and children, the vital role women play in maintaining and sustaining peace, as well as the need to engage women across all sectors, starting from the very beginning of the peace process.